Score one for the Saints.
After months and months of appeals, negotiations, and arbitration, former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue officially overturned the penalties that were handed out to current and former New Orleans players in the wake of "Bountygate." Originally, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was suspended for one entire season, while Saints defensive end Will Smith, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, and free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove were hit with multiple-game suspensions. But, earlier today, Tagliabue claimed that, while he agrees with the findings of the NFL and believes that the Saints did have a bounty program of some kind in place, "this entire case has been contaminated by the coaches and others in the Saints' organization."
Essentially, the investigation turned into a shit show at times with both the players and the NFL slinging mud at one another in an effort to get justice. But, it was becoming more and more clear that we'd never find out what really happened within the Saints organization a few years ago, so Tagliabue was forced to make his ruling.
Frankly, we're just glad this whole thing is over. And, we hope that we never have to hear the word "bounty" again as it pertains to the NFL.
RELATED: NFL Unveils Investigation Into New Orleans Saints Bounty Program
[via ESPN]
